The doctor who learned to build belonging: MD Simona Costa, RSU alumna

When Simona Costa talks about one of her proudest achievements, she doesn't mention an exam, a degree, or even a medical procedure.
Instead, she talks about people.

Today, the Young Doctors' Association she helped establish in South Tyrol, Italy, brings together more than 170 young physicians and specialists. It has become a network where newcomers can find support, advice, and a sense of belonging during the often overwhelming first years of their careers.

What makes the story remarkable is that the idea did not begin in a hospital boardroom. It began years earlier, as a medical student in Riga.

Like many international students arriving at Riga Stradiņš University (RSU), Costa came to Latvia focused on becoming a doctor. What she discovered along the way was something equally important: the value of community.

'At the beginning, my world was basically my flatmate and a few Italian friends,' she recalls.

That changed when she became involved in student associations. One of her first experiences was with what would later become The Anatomy Circle Society. What started as a student initiative gradually evolved into a place where friendships were formed, ideas were shared, and students found support beyond the classroom.

Looking back, Costa believes those experiences shaped her as much as any lecture or clinical placement. They expanded her world beyond her immediate circle and taught her lessons about collaboration, leadership, and the importance of creating opportunities for others. 

After graduating from RSU in 2024, she entered the natural transition period between university and professional life. Before beginning work, she travelled with friends, spent time with family, and prepared for the next stage of her career. 

'I actually recommend taking a pause,' she says. 'Once you start working, it's for life.'

For Costa, those months were not about stepping away from medicine, but about approaching a major life change with perspective and balance. Soon afterwards, she completed an internship in the department where she hoped to work and later began her professional career in South Tyrol. There, an idea emerged that felt surprisingly familiar.

During discussions surrounding the local medical board and the involvement of younger physicians, Costa and several colleagues recognised a need. Newly qualified doctors often faced the same challenges she had once experienced as an international student: navigating unfamiliar systems, building professional networks, and finding guidance during periods of transition. Together, they decided to create something that could help.

'I remember how important a community was, when I was a student in Riga' she says.

The association grew quickly. Today, it connects more than 170 young professionals across the region and serves as a support network for the next generation of doctors. In many ways, Costa found herself recreating for others what had once helped her during her own journey. She is also candid about another reality of medicine: uncertainty. 'You never feel fully ready,' she admits.

It is a feeling familiar to many young doctors. After years of lectures, exams, and clinical training, there is still a moment when the responsibility becomes real and the doubts inevitably surface. Costa believes that this uncertainty never completely disappears. Medicine changes constantly, every patient is different, and there is always more to learn. What changes is the confidence to move forward despite it and constantly feel motivated to learn and further evolve. 'You realise you are capable. You've spent years studying. Even if you don't remember everything, that knowledge is still there,' she acknowledges.

When she looks back at her years in Riga, Costa remembers much more than textbooks and examinations. She remembers the friendships that turned a foreign city into a second home, the student associations that opened unexpected doors, and the people who made the challenges of medical school easier to face.

Those experiences stayed with her long after graduation. In many ways, they shaped how she sees her role today – not only as a physician, but as someone who can help others find their place in a profession that can often feel overwhelming.

Perhaps that is the thread connecting her journey from medical student to young doctor and community builder. The support she once received became something she wanted to offer to others.

And that may be one of the most valuable lessons she carried with her from RSU:

while medicine is often seen as an individual achievement, no one truly gets through it alone.

Creating spaces where people can exchange experiences, ask questions, and learn from one another benefits everyone involved. For Costa, that sense of community is not simply about belonging – it also has a direct impact on the way people work. Teams that know one another, collaborate effectively, and are willing to support each other are often better equipped to face challenges, make decisions, and provide the best possible care. In that sense, building strong professional networks is not only valuable for personal growth; it ultimately helps create stronger doctors, stronger teams, and a stronger healthcare system.